Closure and Suspension Arrangement for Cans

ABSTRACT

The present arrangement is applied to a can including a body portion; a neck portion incorporating an outer peripheral ridge and joined to the body portion by a transition portion; and a lid carrying an outer peripheral rib. A retention ring is seated on the outer peripheral, surrounding the latter and the outer peripheral ridge and being locked under said outer peripheral ridge; and a suspension ring carrying a grip handle and surrounding the neck portion, and locking, upwardly, the retention ring. A seal strip is joined to the suspension ring by breakable connection means, blocking access to a surrounding wall of the suspension ring, which is elastically deformable to unlock the retention ring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a closure and suspension arrangement tobe applied in cans formed in metallic sheet and which comprise a tubularbody portion, usually of circular cross section and carrying a bottomwall, an upper neck portion having a contour smaller than that of thebody portion and a transition portion joining the body portion and neckportion and having an end edge defining the contour of an upper openingof the can, into which is fitted a removable lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are well known from the prior art the tubular cans of metallicsheet comprising a body portion, having a circular or polygonal crosssection, inferiorly closed by a bottom wall and superiorly joined, by atransition portion, to a neck portion having both its cross section andheight reduced in relation to those of the body portion.

The provision of the transition portion in the upper region of the canprovides a considerable increase in the structural resistance of thelatter, allowing for the elimination of the upper annular portion, andwith the upper opening of the can corresponding to the inner crosssection of the neck portion. In this construction, it is sufficient thatthe upper end edge of the can, that is, of the neck portion, is curved,or otherwise worked, in order to form a curl, or outer peripheral ridge,surrounding the upper opening of the can and defining, together with theupper end edge of the latter, a seat for the seating of a removable lid,comprising a panel portion incorporating a peripheral tubular portion tobe tightly fitted, with interference, into the upper opening, inside theneck portion, said peripheral tubular portion having a free upper edgewhich is curved, or otherwise worked, to form a curl or outer peripheralridge of semi-tubular shape, inferiorly open and housing an annulargasket which is seated and pressed against the outer peripheral ridgethe neck portion, upon the fitting of the peripheral tubular portion ofthe lid into the upper opening of the can.

This prior art construction allows for the elimination of the annularupper portion and the formation of an initial tubular body, using ametallic sheet of usual thickness, such as for example, from about 0.21mm to about 0.27 mm for 3.6 liter cans, and having a cross sectioncorresponding to that of the neck portion. This construction isdisclosed in documents PCT/BR2011/000166 (of the same assignee), DE4021211 A1 and also FR2.104.673, the latter having a can without theneck portion.

These cans may have its closure elements further comprising a retentionring of plastic material, having an upper annular portion to be seatedonto the outer peripheral rib of the lid, and a pending skirt portion,surrounding the outer peripheral rib of the lid and the outer peripheralridge of the neck portion, and incorporating an inner circumferentialprojection to be seated and axially locked under the outer peripheralridge of the neck portion, in order to retain the outer peripheral ribof the lid seated against the outer peripheral ridge of the neckportion, as described and illustrated in the aforementioned documentPCT/BR2011/000166.

Although the retention ring may be constructed in order to makedifficult the removal of the lid without making evident the opening ofthe can and access to its contents, the known constructions do notprovide an effective tamper evident seal of simple construction andwhich has to be mandatorily broken in order to allow and make evident afirst opening of the can.

Another drawback of the known solutions for the type of can consideredherein, results from the fact that they do not present a suspensionarrangement of simple construction, relatively reduced cost, and of easyassembly to the body portion of the can and which is operativelyassociated with the retention ring, in order to define, with the latter,a tamper evident seal and prevent the usual complex and costlyconstructions to form a seal in a retention ring defining an elementwith no operational association with the suspension arrangement.

Still another drawback of the known solutions is related to the need ofproviding a stable stacking, with no interlocking of the retention ringsand suspension rings in the magazines for feeding said rings into theequipment, for mechanically assembling said retention and suspensionrings in the peripheral rib of the lid and around the neck portion ofthe can, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due to the limitations of the known solutions, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a closure and suspension arrangement for acan of the type provided with a neck portion with a reduced crosssection, having a simple construction and which allows, not only a tightand safe closure of the can with a high level of tightness and providinga seal able to make evident a first opening of the lid, but also an easymanual suspension of the can in any of its closed lid or removed lidconditions.

The invention has the further object of providing a closure andsuspension arrangement, such as mentioned above and which makes easierand more reliable the mechanized assembly of the closure means andsuspension means, in the lid and in the can, respectively.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a closure andsuspension arrangement as mentioned above and which does not submit theouter peripheral rib of the lid to the forces to be applied to thelatter when it is closed by being fitted into the upper opening of thecan.

The present closure and suspension arrangement is applied to cans whichcomprise: a body portion; a neck portion, having an upper end portiondefining an upper opening of the can and incorporating an outerperipheral ridge; a transition portion, joining the body portion andneck portion; and a lid, including a peripheral tubular portion to befitted into the upper opening and having an upper edge carrying an outerperipheral rib.

According to the invention, the closure and suspension arrangementcomprises: a retention ring of plastic material, having an upper annularportion seated and retained onto the outer peripheral rib andsurrounding superiorly and laterally the latter, a pending skirt portionsurrounding, externally and tightly, the outer peripheral rib and theouter peripheral ridge, and incorporating an inner circumferentialprojection to be seated and axially locked under the outer peripheralridge; and a suspension ring of plastic material, surrounding the neckportion, carrying a grip handle and being upwardly and downwardlylocked, respectively, against the outer peripheral ridge and against,the transition portion, and having a peripheral upper channel, which isexternally limited by a surrounding wall and into which is fitted andupwardly locked the lower tubular projection of the retention ring, thesurrounding wall being elastically deformable outwardly, in order torelease the upward displacement of said lower tubular projection andthus remove the lid, the surrounding wall being upwardly joined, in asingle piece and by means of breakable connection means, to a detachableseal strip, which peripherally surrounds a lower region of the pendingskirt portion of the retention ring.

The above mentioned construction allows that the closure of the can isachieved by a simple construction, with the axial locking of the lid bythe retention ring and with the provision of a seal for making evidentthe first opening, which construction is defined by cooperation of theretention ring with the suspension ring, which carries a grip handle andwhich is partially breakable to allow the release of the retention ringand the removal of the lid, preferably by using a simple lever tool tobe inserted between the lower region of the pending skirt portion of theretention ring and the surrounding wall of the suspension ring, afterremoving the seal strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described below, with reference to the encloseddrawings, given by way of example of an embodiment of the invention, andin which:

FIG. 1 represents a top plan view of a can in the condition closed by alid, the latter being retained in the closed condition by a retentionring peripherally locked under the outer peripheral ridge of the neckportion of the can;

FIG. 2 represents a partially cut longitudinal view of the can of FIG.1, said cut being taken according to line IIA-IIA in the previousfigure, the lid being in the closed position, with the grip handle beingpartially cut in an operational condition and further illustrating thebottom of another identical can, stacked on top of the first;

FIG. 2A represents an enlarged detail of the upper portion of the canillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B represents a view similar to that of FIG. 2A, however with thesection of the upper portion of the can being taken according to lineIIB-IIB of FIG. 1, said view further illustrating the grip handle in anonoperational condition, located around the neck portion of the can;

FIG. 3 represents a partially cut front plan view of the grip handle,further illustrating, in dashed lines and in a through opening of one ofthe end portions of the grip handle, the cross section and the relativepositioning of one of the radial pivoting pins of the handle,corresponding to the operational and nonoperational positions of thegrip handle;

FIGS. 4 and 5 represent partially cut lateral views of the container ofFIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 2B, with the handle being in the nonoperational andoperational positions, respectively;

FIG. 6 represents a partially cut diametral view of a stack ofsuspension rings before receiving the grip handle and ready to be fedinto the magazine of a machine for mounting said rings around the neckportion of the can; and

FIG. 7 represents a partially cut diametral view of a stack of retentionrings, each being already assembled to a respective lid, with theretention ring + lid sets being stacked in the same manner as upon beingfed into the magazine of a machine for assembling said sets on cansalready filled with the product to be packaged, in order to provide themechanized closure of the lids.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described above and illustrated in the attached drawings, the closureand suspension arrangement proposed by the invention is applied to a can10 formed in metallic sheet, usually tinplate, having a generallycircular cross section, but which may be polygonal, although said shapeis not illustrated in the drawings.

The can 10 of tubular shape comprises: a body portion 11, a lower endedge 11 a, to which is affixed, usually by double seaming, theperipheral edge of a bottom wall 12; a neck portion 13 having aconcentric contour, similar and reduced in relation to that of the bodyportion 11, and an upper end edge 13 a defining the contour of an upperopening “A” for the can 10; and a transition portion 14 with a profileinclined in relation to the axis of the can 10 and joining the bodyportion 11 and neck portion 13.

The upper end edge 13 a of the neck portion 13 incorporates an outerperipheral ridge 15. In the illustrated condition, the outer peripheralridge 15 takes the form of a curl of tubular cross section, obtained bybending the metallic sheet radially outwards in the region of the upperend edge 13 a. In the drawings, the cross section of the curl iscircular, however it should be understood that it may be formed aperipheral ridge having different cross sections, which may be tubularor not.

The formation of the body portion 11 is started by forming a tubularbody having a cross section corresponding to that of the neck portion13, and which is then radially expanded, throughout part of its height,in order to define the body portion 11 and transition portion 14,according to known methods in the art. Preferably, the transitionportion 14 remains inferiorly joined to the body portion 11, by ajunction region in convex arc 14 a, and superiorly joined to the neckportion 13 by a junction region in concave arc 14 b.

The can 10 further comprises a lid 20 formed in a single piece ofstamped metallic sheet, presenting a panel portion 21 occupying a greatpart of the cross section area of the upper opening A and incorporatinga peripheral tubular portion 22, which is configured and dimensioned tobe fitted, in a tight manner and with interference, into the upperopening A, inside the neck portion 13.

Said peripheral tubular portion 22 presents an upper edge 22 a to whichis incorporated an outer peripheral rib 25, configured to be seated ontothe outer peripheral ridge 15 provided in the upper end edge 13 a of theneck portion 13.

As illustrated, the lid 20 is preferably built with its panel portion 21incorporating a pending skirt 21 a, usually frusto-conical and whichforms, with the peripheral tubular portion 22, a peripheral channel 24,radially separating the panel portion 21 from the peripheral tubularportion 22, the panel portion 21 thus being located in an elevated planein relation to the bottom wall 24 a of the peripheral channel 24.

According to one aspect of the invention, the outer peripheral rib 25has a partially tubular profile, inferiorly open and having: a radiallyinner edge 25 a which is joined, to the upper edges 22 a of theperipheral tubular portion 22 of the lid 20, by an annular step 26projecting outward from said peripheral tubular portion 22; and aradially outer edge 25 b, spaced from the radially inner edge 25 a, theouter peripheral rib 25 carrying, in its interior, an annular gasket 30,preferably in the form of a resin chord, for example “Plastisol”, moldedinside the outer peripheral rib 25 of the lid 20.

The annular gasket 30 is configured, inside the outer peripheral rib 25,to be seated and pressed against the outer peripheral ridge 15 of theneck portion 13, upon the fitting of the lid 20 into the upper opening Aof the can, and upon the seating of the annular step 26 onto the outerperipheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13.

Although the drawings illustrate only one outer peripheral rib 25 in theform of a partially tubular curl having a cross section of an arc of acircle, it should be understood that there may be used cross sectionsother than a perfectly circular arc.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the projection of the radiallyinner edge 25 a and radially outer edge 25 b of the outer peripheral rib25 is in the axial direction of the can, disposed secant, respectively,to the radially innermost half and to the radially outermost half of thecontour of the outer peripheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13.

Still according to the illustrated embodiment, the radially inner edge25 a and the radially outer edge 25 b of the outer peripheral rib 25define, in relation to each other, an alignment which is tangent orslightly secant to the upper half of the contour of the outer peripheralridge 15 of the neck portion 13. This constructive form allows the upperportion of the outer peripheral ridge 15 to slightly penetrate into theinterior of the lower contour of the outer peripheral rib 25,compressing the annular gasket 30 and assuring a high level of tightnessto the closure of the lid 20 when fitted into the upper opening A of thecan.

Aiming to provide a certain degree of interference between the annulargasket 30 and the upper portion of the outer peripheral ridge 15, theformer is configured to be inferiorly tangent to or sectioned by thelines containing the radially inner edge 25 a and radially outer edge 25b of the outer peripheral rib 25 of the lid 20.

As illustrated in the drawings, the subject closure arrangement furthercomprises a retention ring 40 in a single piece of plastic material andhaving: an upper annular portion 41 to be seated and retained on theouter peripheral rib 25 of the lid 20, surrounding superiorly andlaterally said outer peripheral rib 25; a peripheral skirt portion 42pending from the upper annular portion 41 surrounding, laterally andtightly, the outer peripheral rib 25 of the lid 20 and the outerperipheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13, and incorporating an innercircumferential projection 43 to be seated and axially locked under theouter peripheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner circumferential projection 43presents a profile in the form of a ramp, which is inclined downwardsand radially inwards, in order to define a tooth acting under the outerperipheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13, in order to provide a safeaxial locking of the lid 20 to the body 10 of the can.

In order for the retention ring 40 to remain securely affixed to the lid20, the peripheral skirt 42 may further incorporate, in its interior, aperipheral chord 44 configured to be tightly seated under the radiallyouter edge 25 b of the outer peripheral rib 25. Thus, the retention ring40 is incorporated to the lid 20 before the latter is fitted into theupper opening A of the can, upon filling the latter with the product tobe canned.

As illustrated, the peripheral skirt portion 42 is provided, in part ofits height and from a lower edge 42 b of said peripheral skirt 42, withan outer recess 42 a, whose function will be described further below.

In the illustrated constructive embodiment, the retention ring 40further incorporates, in its upper annular portion 41, a first uppertubular projection 46, radially spaced in relation to the outer contourof the retention ring 40, in order to define, with the upper annularportion 41, a peripheral step 46 a onto which is seated the lowerperipheral edge 11 a, that is, the double seam of the bottom wall 12 ofanother identical can, seated on the previous one in a stack of saidcans, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The retention ring 40 may further incorporate, in its upper annularportion 41, a second upper annular projection 47, radially spaced inrelation to the first upper annular projection 46 and having a heightgenerally superior to that of the latter, and whose function will bedescribed further below.

According to the invention, the peripheral skirt 42 of the retentionring 40 further incorporates a lower tubular projection 48 defined as asingle circumferential strip, or as a plurality of circumferential skirtportions and incorporating, along the extensions thereof, an outer lowertooth 48 a, facing upwards and inferiorly configured in the form of aramp, whose function will be described further below.

Still according to the invention, the arrangement comprises,additionally, a suspension ring 50 in plastic material, which is mountedso as to surround the neck portion 13 of the can, usually after theformation of the latter and before its shipment to the filler. Thesuspension ring 50 is upwardly and downwardly locked, respectively,against the outer peripheral ridge 15 and against the transition portion14, remaining axially retained between these two portions of the can.

In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension ring 50 incorporates anupper projection 51, with an end edge 51 a which seats under the outerperipheral ridge 15, and a lower projection 52, with an end edge 52 awhich is positioned adjacent to the lower region of the transitionportion 14 of the can, and which may be seated thereon. The suspensionring 50 has an inner lower portion 50 a configured to be seated againstthe transition portion 14 and locked against the latter, in the downwarddirection.

The suspension ring 50 presents a peripheral upper channel 53 which isexternally limited by a surrounding wall 54 provided with an inner uppertooth 54 a, facing downwards and which may be superiorly configured as aramp. Inside the peripheral upper channel 53 is fitted and upwardlyretained the lower tubular projection 48 of the retention ring 40. Thefitting of the lower tubular projection 48 in the peripheral upperchannel 53 is completed only upon the closure of the can after filling,by the seating of the lid 20 already carrying the retention ring 40,into the upper opening A of the can. Said fitting of the lower tubularprojection 48 is achieved by its outer lower tooth 48 a passing by theinner upper tooth 54 a of the surrounding wall 54 of the suspension ring50, which surrounding wall 54 is elastically deformed outwards andreturned to its rest position, in which its tooth 54 a then operates asa stop for the outer lower tooth 48 a of the lower tubular projection48. This arrangement prevents the retention ring 40 from being displacedaxially upwards in order to release the lid 20.

In the construction suggested herein, the surrounding wall 54 issuperiorly joined in a single piece and by breakable connection means 55c, to a detachable seal strip 56, interrupted by an axial slot 56 a andperipherally surrounding a lower region of the peripheral skirt portion42 of the retention ring 40. The seal strip 56 has an enlarged endportion 56 b, adjacent to the axial slot 56 a of the latter and which isloosely housed inside the outer recess 42 a of the peripheral skirt 42.

Thus, after removing the seal strip 56, the surrounding wall 54 of thesuspension ring 50 may be elastically deformed outwards, in order torelease the engagement between the inner radial tooth 54 a of thesurrounding wall 54 and the outer radial tooth 48 a of the lower tubularprojection 48 of the retention ring 40, allowing for the upwarddisplacement of said lower tubular projection 48 and the removal of thelid 20.

In order to facilitate the opening of the lid 20 after removing the sealstrip 56, the surrounding wall 54 of the suspension ring 50 has an upperedge 54 b which maintains an axial gap in relation to a lower edge 42 bof the peripheral skirt portion 42 of the retention ring 40, sufficientto allow the introduction of a manual lever means into said axial gap,after removing the seal strip 56.

Thus, in order for the lid 20 to be released, it is necessary toinitially manually break the enlarged end portion 56 b of the seal strip56 and, then, the entire remaining of the latter, so that thesurrounding wall 54 of the suspension ring 50 may be elasticallydeformed outwards, in order to release the engagement of the radialteeth 54 a and 48 a, allowing the lower tubular projection 48 of theretention ring 40 to be axially displaced upwards, together with theretention ring 40 and the lid 20, thus opening the can.

Thus, for allowing a first opening of the can to occur, it is necessaryto break the seal strip 56 of the suspension ring 50, such breakingmaking clearly evident the tampering of the seal of the can closure.Still according to the invention, the suspension ring incorporates,externally and in its lower projection 52, at opposite regions andusually in a single piece, two radial pins 55, each being preferablyprovided with a respective enlarged head 55 a. The suspensionarrangement further comprises a grip handle 60, generally “U” shaped,formed in any adequate material, such as plastic, having end portions 61respectively pivoted in the radial pins 55, and a preferably enlargedmedian portion 62, the grip handle 60 being angularly displaceable,about the common axis of the radial pins 55, between an nonoperationalposition, in which it remains positioned laterally and externally to arespective lateral extension of the neck portion 13 of the can and ofthe suspension ring 50, usually corresponding to half the perimeter ofthe neck portion 13 and of the suspension ring 50, and an operationalposition, in which it is positioned over the can. The operationalpositions of the handle are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each preferably enlarged end portion 61 of the grip handle 60 isprovided with a through opening 63, through which is rotativelysupported a respective radial pin 55 of the suspension ring 50. Thethrough opening 63 has a width, in the direction perpendicular to theextension of the grip handle 60, which is sufficient to rotativelysupport, in a tight manner and in the same direction, the radial pin 55,and a length, in the longitudinal direction of the grip handle 60, whichis sufficient to rotatively support the radial pin 55, both with thegrip handle 60 in the nonoperational position and with the grip handle60 in angular displacement from the nonoperational position to theoperational position.

The through opening 63, of each end portion 61 of the grip handle 60,has parallel and straight opposite lateral edges 63 a, against which aretightly seated opposite regions of the generally circular cross sectionof the respective radial pin 55.

The through opening 63 further presents an outer end edge 63 b, againstwhich is seated the respective radial pin 55, when, the grip handle 60is in the operational position and suspending the can, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5.

In order to operate properly, each radial pin 55 incorporates anenlarged head 55 a having a contour which is greater than the width ofthe through openings 63, each of the latter having an inner end,opposite to the outer end edge 63 b and open to an enlarged hole 64having a contour dimensioned to allow the passage of the enlarged head55 a of the radial pin 55, usually with little elastic deformation ofthe enlarged head 55 a, or of the through opening 63.

Although not illustrated herein, it should be understood that the griphandle 60 may have each through opening 63 presenting parallel andstraight opposite lateral edges, whereas each radial pin 55 may have apolygonal cross section dimensioned to cooperate with the opposite edgesof each respective through opening 63, when the grip handle 60 is in itsnonoperational position, allowing for the stabilization of the griphandle 60 in this position, as defined in the Brazilian patentapplication PI 1100010-4 of the same assignee.

Since the suspension ring 50 is positioned axially spaced from the outerperipheral ridge 15 of the can, the through opening 63, in each endportion 61 of the grip handle 60, takes the form of an oblong slotlongitudinally defined in the grip handle 60, for allowing the latter tobe radially displaced in relation to the axis of the two radial pins 55,in order to increase its angular displacement radius, preventing anyinterference contact with the retention ring 40, or with the outerperipheral ridge 15 of the neck portion 13, when said handle isdisplaced between the nonoperational and operational positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the suspension rings 50 are built to allowtheir stable stacking inside a magazine of a machine for assembling saidsuspension rings 50 around the neck portion 13 in a can of the typeconsidered herein. Accordingly, the lower projection 52 of eachsuspension ring 50 is dimensioned in width and height, to be fittedinside the peripheral upper channel 53 of another suspension ring 50,located immediately below in a stack of said rings. Said fitting of thelower projection 52 is carried out without deformation of thesurrounding wall 54, said fitting acting only as a guide means tostabilize the column of suspension rings 50 stacked inside a magazine orin stacks to be fed into a magazine.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the retention rings 40 are built to allowtheir stable stacking inside a magazine of a machine for mounting,around the neck portion 13 in an already filled can of the typeconsidered herein, said retention rings 40 already incorporated to eachrespective lid 20. Accordingly, the lower tubular projection 48 of theretention ring 40 is seated on the first upper projection 46 of anotherretention ring 40 placed under the first, in a stack of retention rings40 already incorporated, each one, to a respective lid 20, with thesecond upper projection 48 of said other retention ring 40 acting as anouter guide stop for the lower region of the peripheral tubular portion22 of the lid 20 incorporated to said other retention ring 40.

While only one embodiment of the present closure and suspensionarrangement has been illustrated herein, it should be understood thatseveral changes can be made in the form and arrangement of thecomponents parts, without departing from the constructive conceptdefined in the claims that accompany the present disclosure.

1. A closure and suspension arrangement for cans, comprising: a bodyportion; a neck portion having an upper end edge defining an upperopening (A) of the can and incorporating an outer peripheral ridge; atransition portion joining the body portion and neck portion; and a lidincluding a peripheral tubular portion to be fitted into the upperopening (A) and having an upper edge carrying an outer peripheral rib,the arrangement being characterized in that it comprises: a retentionring in plastic material, having an upper annular portion seated andretained on the outer peripheral rib, and surrounding above andlaterally the latter, a peripheral skirt portion, externally and tightlysurrounding the outer peripheral rib and the outer peripheral ridge andincorporating an inner circumferential projection to be seated andaxially locked under the outer peripheral ridge, and a lower tubularprojection; and a suspension ring in plastic material, carrying a griphandle and surrounding the neck portion, being upwardly and downwardlylocked respectively against the outer peripheral ridge and against thetransition portion and presenting a peripheral upper channel which isexternally limited by a surrounding wall and into which is fitted andupwardly locked the lower tubular projection of the retention ring, withthe surrounding wall being elastically deformable outwards, in order torelease the upward displacement of said lower tubular projection andthus the removal of the lid, the surrounding wall being superiorlyjoined, in a single piece and through a breakable connection means, to aseal strip which is detachable and interrupted by an axial slot andperipherally surrounding a lower region of the peripheral skirt portionof the retention ring.
 2. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1,characterized in that the pending peripheral skirt further incorporates,internally, a peripheral chord which is configured to be tightly seatedunder the radially outer edge of the outer peripheral rib of the lid. 3.The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that thelower projection of the suspension ring is fitted inside the peripheralupper channel of another suspension ring disposed immediately below in astack of said suspension rings.
 4. The arrangement, as set forth inclaim 1, characterized in that the lower tubular projection to bedefined by at least one strip portion which incorporates, along itsextension, an outer lower tooth facing upwards and inferiorly configuredas a ramp, the surrounding wall being provided with an inner uppertooth, facing downwards and operating as a stop for the outer lowertooth of the lower tubular projection, preventing the upward axialdisplacement of the retention ring.
 5. The arrangement, as set forth inclaim 1, characterized in that the peripheral skirt portion is providedwith an outer recess, inside which is loosely housed an enlarged endportion of the seal strip adjacent to the axial slot of the latter. 6.The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that thesurrounding wall of the suspension ring has an upper edge whichmaintains an axial gap in relation to a lower edge of the peripheralskirt portion of the retention ring, sufficient to allow theintroduction of a manual lever means into said axial gap, after removingthe seal strip.
 7. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1,characterized in that the outer peripheral rib of the lid has apartially tubular format, inferiorly open and having: a radially inneredge joined to the upper edge of the peripheral tubular portion by anannular step projecting outwards of said peripheral tubular portion; anda radially outer edge, spaced from the radially inner edge, the outerperipheral rib carrying, in its interior, an annular gasket to be seatedand compressed against the outer peripheral ridge of the neck portion,upon fitting the lid into the upper opening of the can, and upon theseating of the annular step onto the outer peripheral ridge of the neckportion.
 8. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 7, characterized inthat outer peripheral rib has the projection of the radially inner edgeand radially outer edge thereof, in the axial direction of the can,disposed secant, respectively, to the radially innermost half and theradially outermost half of the contour of the outer peripheral ridge ofthe neck portion, the radially inner edge and the radially outer edge ofthe outer peripheral rib defining, in relation to one another, a secantalignment in relation to the upper half of the contour of the outerperipheral ridge of the neck portion.
 9. The arrangement, as set forthin claim 8, characterized in that the annular gasket is inferiorlytangent to, or sectioned by the alignment defined by the radially inneredge and radially outer edge of the outer peripheral rib of the lid. 10.The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that theretention ring further incorporates, in the upper annular portionthereof, a first upper tubular projection, radially spaced in relationto the outer contour of the retention ring and defining, with the upperannular portion, a peripheral step onto which is seated the lowerperipheral edge of another identical can, placed over the first in astack of said cans.
 11. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 10,characterized in that the retention ring further incorporates, in theupper annular portion thereof, a second upper tubular projection,radially spaced in relation to the first upper tubular projection, thelower tubular projection of the retention ring being seated on the firstupper tubular projection, of another retention ring located under thefirst in a stack of retention rings, each already incorporated to arespective lid, with the second upper projection of said anotherretention ring acting as an outer guide stop for the lower region of theperipheral tubular portion of the lid incorporated to said anotherretention ring.
 12. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1,characterized in that the suspension ring incorporates, externally andin opposite regions of the lower projection thereof, two radial pins,each being provided with an enlarged head, the grip handle beingprovided with end portions respectively pivotable on the radial pins andbeing angularly displaceable, about the common axis of the two radialpins, between a nonoperational position, in which it remains positionedlaterally and externally to a respective lateral extension of the neckportion, and an operational position in which it is positioned over thecan.
 13. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 12, characterized inthat each end portion of the grip handle is provided with a throughopening, through which is rotatively supported a respective radial pin,said through opening having a width sufficient to rotatively support, ina tight manner, the radial pin, and a length in the longitudinaldirection of the grip handle which is sufficient to rotatively supportthe radial pin, both with the grip handle in the nonoperationalposition, and with the grip handle in angular displacement from thenonoperational position to the operational position.
 14. Thearrangement, as set forth in claim 13, characterized in that eachthrough opening has opposite lateral edges, parallel and straight,against which are tightly seated opposite regions of the cross sectionof the respective radial pin.
 15. The arrangement, as set forth in claim14, characterized in that the through opening presents an outer endedge, against which is seated the respective radial pin when the griphandle is in the operational position and suspending the can, eachradial pin incorporating an enlarged head, having a contour which isgreater than the width of the through openings, each of the latterhaving an inner end, opposite to the outer end edge and open to anenlarged hole having a contour dimensioned to allow the passage of theenlarged head of the radial pin, with little elastic deformation of theenlarged head or of the through opening.